Could some one who owns this lens please pm or post a close up image of the front element where it is monted into the face of the lens? Does it appear to have a few "steps" between the outer filter ring and the front element?

It states that it's missing the front element in the auction, but the seller is an antique dealer not a photo dealer. Every image I've looked at of the lens online looks like the front element is very recessed...What are the odds of Nikon having that element anymore? And who would take just the front element out of an expensive lens?

The remarkable Nikkor 200mm f/2.0 ED IF lens was given another upgrade as Ai-S lens which has serial number from 178501. However, a facelift was also being done to the last of the series which occurred during mid of '80 where the high speed telephoto lens was again redesigned with a fixed 122mm built-in UV filter which serves more to protective its front lens element.

I believe this 122mm UV filter was in front of the forward-most glass...

I picked up a malfunctioning 400 f2.8 ai and have noted the following symptoms:
- won't quite focus to infinity
- very soft wide open, improves slowly until f11, at which point it's decent, but still not as sharp as my 300 f4.5 ai, while still much heavier
- switching between 2.8 and 4 seems to make no difference whatsoever in pictures, though you can see the aperture blades move accordingly
- focus is super smooth, glass is clean barring a few marks on the frontmost element

What might be the issue here, an element knocked out of alignment? Who might be able to adjust/repair it, or could I do it myself somehow? Are there some reliable guides out there for this sort of thing? Thanks a lot ahead of time, guys, I('d/'ll) appreciate it!

That was the new development? That you purchased a low-production, discontinued lens for a few hundred less than the typical used price knowing it was missing the largest element and will not focus on a Nikon body?

I'm sorry, you might scour eBay for other damaged lenses for parts or call around to small Nikon repair centers? It will probably be extremely difficult to source one though.

aisi wrote: Any thoughts on where one might be able to find the front element for this lens? Where would I even search, or who might have nonfunctioning versions with a good element?

More importantly, I picked up a malfunctioning 400 f2.8 ai and have noted the following symptoms:
- won't quite focus to infinity
- very soft wide open, improves slowly until f11, at which point it's decent, but still not as sharp as my 300 f4.5 ai, while still much heavier
- switching between 2.8 and 4 seems to make no difference whatsoever in pictures, though you can see the aperture blades move accordingly
- focus is super smooth, glass is clean barring a few marks on the frontmost element

What might be the issue here, an element knocked out of alignment? Who might be able to adjust/repair it, or could I do it myself somehow? Are there some reliable guides out there for this sort of thing? Thanks a lot ahead of time, guys, I('d/'ll) appreciate it!...Show more →

you need special tools to work on these lenses. it's pretty safe to say, no, you're not going to be able to fix it.

Thanks stilltime, but I'm not that daft. Nikon gave me a quote for the repair ahead of time, another upon receiving it, took my credit card info, and then shipped it back a few days later, parts no longer available. Seems they might have known that at any prior stage, given the problem, model and serial number.

The tools are not a problem (thought a wide spanner may be tricky for the massive glass), it'd be finding a repair manual, as I'd think it's an adjustment issue (for the 400, obviously). I'll try looking, perhaps ask the repair centers. I already work in a cleanroom lab setting. Thanks, if anyone else has any other leads or suggestions, fire away. The 400 is a promising gem in the rough.